Maungaharakeikei Falls, North Island, New Zealand

by Ian Cooper
(Palmerston North, New Zealand)

Maungaharakeikei Falls from State Highway 57, North Island, New Zealand/

The little known Maungaharakeikei Falls (pronounced Mong-ah-hah-rah-kay-kay)are probably the North Island of New Zealand's least known major falls and yet it is clearly seen from a minor State Highway, if one knows where to look. Touted as the 2nd longest drop falls in the N.I. at approx. 100m, the falls discharge from the steep face of a ridge that form the foothills of the Tararua Ranges about 20 km south of the city of Palmerston North. Situated on private land they can be seen most clearly after recent rain from out on the Manawatu plains from the west south-west of the falls (a jutting ridge covered in pine trees blocks the view from the north).Only a small catchment area feeds the falls so they can look very barren during the summer.

Comments for Maungaharakeikei Falls, North Island, New Zealand

The falls are just southeast of the town of Tokomaru (at grid ref 136124 on LINZ map BN34; just off the end of Albert Road on Google Maps). The LINZ map shows the height of the topmost fall as 60m, though the total drop from the plateau to the base is 240m.

Curiously enough, most of what ought to be their natural catchment area on top of the plateau actually drains east into the ranges through a deep gorge to join the Tokomaru River; a curious bit of topographical perversity. But for this the flow in the falls would be much better.